Regional Library “Hristo Smirnenski”

Regional Library “Hristo Smirnenski” is the main bookstore in the region, archive of national literature and local periodical press – a center providing complete library services for its readers. The library was founded in 1953 and in 1975 it was moved into a new building specially constructed and designed to be a literary center. Zdravko Dafinov – an architect, a bibliographer and a literary researcher who worked with the teams of arch. Shopov and arch. K. Georgiev, contributed to the architectural design of the library building, the organization of the space and the furnishing of the library. In the past, the site of today’s library building was a sunflower oil and halva factory, owned by Kitsa and Stoyo Marchevi, a prominent family in Haskovo, who left a lasting trace in the history of the town. The Marchevi family donated their property to the municipality of Haskovo. The Regional History Museum is located in the eastern part of the building.

All these nearly 65 years of activities of the Regional Library “Hr. Smirnenski” establish it as a significant cultural and information institution. Traditions and innovations united for one single aim enhance the implementation of the main library functions. All the books kept here are about 409 000 volumes, there are nearly 4 000 registered users and over 52 000 visits, 25 computerized places for the readers, free internet access, electronic catalogue access, electronic library services. The Digital Library Haskovo as well as an external database are located here. The library organizes and hosts meetings with national and foreign writers, of art and culture, provides training courses in initial computer skills, works hard to form reading skills and requirements for the youngest. It carries out coordination, expert-consultancy and qualification activities for the libraries in the region. It also has publishing activity traditions and project development and implementation experience.